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(hed) Planet Earth Album: “Blackout”
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Release Date:2003-03-17
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Type:Unknown
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Genre:Hard Rock, Metal, Rap-Rock
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Label:Music For Nations
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Explicit Lyrics:Yes
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UPC:5016583128326
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Review - :
Despite arriving in the midst of {\rap-metal}'s popular apex, {$(hed) pe}'s 2000 LP {^Broke} was slow to catch on. It took months of grueling tours with established acts like {$Deftones} and {$Korn} for the hard-hitting Huntington Beach, CA, "{\gangsta}-{\punk}" outfit to make a dent with the kids outside their modest but dedicated following. {$(hed)} were grateful for the belated recognition, but still puzzled. How could their record have missed the {\nu-metal} train to the top taken by contemporaries like {$System of a Down}? Jeez, {^Broke} had even featured a guest shot from {$System} vocalist {$Serj Tankian}. This uncertainty tarnished the success {$(hed)} did find, but it also fueled vocalist/brain trust {$Jahred}'s desire for his band's next record to be even better. {$(hed) pe} enlisted the aid of {$Machine} for their third album. Having worked with {$Pitchshifter}, {$Vision of Disorder}, and {$Shootyz Groove}, the hope was that the producer would add the intangibles that had been missing from {^Broke}. But when they emerged, it was without longtime member {$Chad "Chizad" Benekos}. The guitarist had departed after recording the new material. Fortunately, {$Jahred}, {$Wes} (guitar), {$Mawk} (bass), {$BC} (drums), and {$DJ Product 1969} found fellow traveler {$Sonny Mayo} (ex-{$Snot} and {$Amen}), who was performing with {$(hed)} almost immediately after getting the job. The product of this diversity was {^Blackout}, released through {@Zomba}/{@Jive} in March 2003. While it expands on melodic elements that had previously played a supporting role in the band's sound, {^Blackout} also delivers truckloads of crushing guitar and pounding rhythm. And whether or not it is the presence of a top-line producer, {$(hed) pe} have figured out a way to imbue their aggressive mix of heavy {\rock} and {\hip-hop} with some serious hooks. The {\rap-metal} genre will always include homogeny. But the narrower its stylistic contours, the easier it is for more groups to share a piece of the pie. This point isn't lost on {$(hed) pe}, who consistently channel {$Korn}, {$Limp Bizkit}, and {$System of a Down} throughout {^Blackout}. But ever since their self-titled 1997 debut, it's been the group's penchant for brazen, {$Ice Cube}-style raps and {$Jahred}'s own unique blend of charisma, anger, and astonishing vocal talent that set them apart. {^Blackout}'s {&"Crazy Life"} finds {$Jahred} channeling the bravado of vintage {$N.W.A}, while crafty production throughout the album allows the vocalist to harmonize with himself, often in different vocal ranges and styles. The album's aggressive first half is particularly strong, with the title track/single being an obvious high point. When {$(hed)} decide to slow things down, they achieve the {\dub reggae} of {&"Get Away"} and {&"Carnivale"} with some degree of success. Unfortunately, {^Blackout} ends with two of its weakest tracks. {&"Fallen"} hovers too close to {$Linkin Park} without offering anything unique to {$(hed) pe} themselves, while {&"Revelations"} is an embarrassing retread of {$Nine Inch Nails}. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
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